Lost Voice Guy: Helpful or Harmful?

Lee Ridley is a unique talent. He is a stand up comic with no voice. That’s right he can’t talk. So how does he perform? Watch this video below to see how Lee otherwise known as Lost Voice Guy works the crowd (can’t see the video? click here).

As you saw in the video Lee has Cerebral Palsy and uses a communication device to present to the crowd. Most of Lee’s routine focuses on his disability. He makes numerous jokes about his disability and the crowd has a good time laughing.

Of course if someone else were to crack the same jokes they would be in big trouble. Lee feels that while making jokes about himself and his disability it helps to give the audience a better understanding of people with disabilities.

What do you think?Will Lee’s performance give license for others to make similar jokes about people with disabilities or does it give viewers an appreciation and/or understanding of individuals with special needs? Tell us your opinion in the comments below.

He is AWESOME:) It gives an understanding and spread awareness.
Imagine all the words in Lee’s head and nonverbal individuals that are just waiting to let loose .. . .My daughter is 6 and is diagnosed with autism. She has an AAC device that she has been using for a couple of months.The “words” that fly out of her mouth are hilarious and true!The first day that she got the AAC device in front of the director of her school program. She said, ” I have an emergency”. (pre programmed)I think she was trying to speak to the school about her needs.I thought you do have an emergency. You have autism. One day she said, ” I need to go to see the dr”. out of the blue.I smiled and laughed.My daughter and Lee should team up!

Thejoyfulpalmers

I love it. The truth is, most people have very little experience with people with disabilities. I’m a mom with a daughter with severe cerebral palsy and I get a front row seat to other peoples fear and uncertainty. They don’t want to say or do the wrong thing, or embarrass the person or themselves in some way. I have a lot of patience and compassion for where they’re at. Most people, with a little coaching and exposure to someone with a disability are really caring, loving, and interactive. What Lee is doing is fabulous in that he’s giving people a fun, safe exposure to disability. Most people in the audience will be far better off when they meet the next person with a disability. Jokes and laughing about disability will always exist. Hooray for making it helpful and productive.

http://tamsinhowse.com/blog/ Tamsin Howse

Completely in favour of Lee making fun of his disability, through laughter comes comfort and acceptance. Lee is doing a great service to everyone!